Shot for just being on the street

Friday, January 02, 2009

A worker picking up trash for a private company in Jersey City early New Year's Day was shot in the stomach in what police say was a random act of violence.

The 37-year-old victim, who is a West New York resident, was picking up garbage at Communipaw and Crescent avenues about 4:20 a.m. when he saw two men in a small blue car fire four bullets into the air, officials said. One of the men in the car then fired a fifth bullet that struck the victim on the right side of his stomach, officials said.

He was treated and released at the Jersey City Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Jersey City police investigators at (201) 547-JAIL.

KEN THORBOURNE